[08/17/05 - 12:00 AM]Showtime Networks Is First to Offer Emmy(R)-Nominated Original Programming Via on Demand

[via press release from Showtime]

Showtime Networks Is First To Offer Emmy�-Nominated Original Programming Via On Demand

New York, NY, August 17, 2005 � Showtime Networks, a leader in the On Demand arena, will be the first network to offer its Emmy� Nominated programming to subscribers anytime On Demand through Sept. 20th. An exclusive �Emmy� Nominees" On Demand category will feature select episodes from the networks� Emmy�-nominated series Huff�, The L-Word�, Penn & Teller: BULLSHIT!; the comedy special Dave Chappelle � For What It�s Worth (through Aug. 30), and feature-length original movies Reefer Madness, and Our Fathers. These programs garnered an impressive 17 Emmy� nominations in major categories. The Emmy Awards� will be presented during a live telecast on Sunday, Sept. 18th.

�We are delighted to provide our viewers with this unique option for sampling SHOWTIME Emmy�-nominated programming,� said Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President of Showtime Networks. �An offering such as this is what on demand is all about � customized programming blocks that are accessible at our subscribers� convenience.�

Showtime On Demand, which launched in September 2001, is the first VOD service to give Emmy�-nominated programs this kind of exposure. The service has more than 4.5 million subscribers and hundreds of hours of programming to choose from which is refreshed weekly. Showtime On Demand generates high consumer satisfaction; increases subscriber retention; and also raises awareness for SHOWTIME original programming.

Subscribers will also be able to watch Showtime Emmy�-nominated programming on SHOTOO. On August 9 at 9pm: Our Fathers, August 10 at 9pm: Dave Chapelle- For What it�s Worth, August 10 at 10pm: Reefer Madness, August 11 at 9pm:Huff-Crazy, Nuts and All Messed Up, August 11 at 10pm: The L Word- L�Chaim, August 11 at 10:45pm: Penn and Teller Bullshit!

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME�, THE MOVIE CHANNEL� and FLIX�, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME� TOO�, SHOWTIME� SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME�, SHOWTIME BEYOND�, SHOWTIME NEXT�, SHOWTIME WOMEN�, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE� and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD�, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD�, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND�, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND� and FLIX ON DEMAND. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL�, which is a venture between NBC Universal, Robert Redford, and Showtime Networks Inc. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME� PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.